Under-Display Fingerprint Sensor Groove Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing under-screen fingerprint identification technologies face challenges due to the fragility and high cost of OLED screens, leading to increased complexity and cost, as well as low maintainability, when directly attaching fingerprint identification modules, and fail to meet the demand for ultra-thin electronic devices due to excessive module thickness.

Innovation Solution

A fingerprint identification apparatus is designed with a fingerprint sensor chip disposed in a groove on a substrate, which is attached to the middle frame of an electronic device, allowing the module to be positioned under the display screen without direct adhesion, reducing thickness and complexity, and utilizing an optical path design with micro lenses and filters for improved fingerprint detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fingerprint identification module is directly attached to the OLED screen, then the fingerprint identification function is achieved, but the OLED screen is easily damaged and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of OLED screenVSAvoidattaching process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a support plate as an intermediary component between the fingerprint identification module and the OLED screen. The support plate serves as a mediator that bears the mechanical stress and protects the fragile OLED screen from direct contact with the fingerprint module, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving fingerprint identification and protecting the screen while simplifying the attaching process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the fingerprint identification assembly into distinct components: the fingerprint identification module, the support plate, and the OLED screen. This segmentation allows the support plate to be independently designed and attached to the OLED screen, separating the protection function from the fingerprint identification function and reducing the overall attaching process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the fingerprint identification module is directly attached to the OLED screen, then the fingerprint identification function is achieved, but the cost increases and maintainability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of OLED screenVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and maintainability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate acts as a replaceable intermediary component that can be independently manufactured and attached. This design reduces manufacturing costs by allowing standardized production of the support plate and simplifies maintenance, as the fingerprint module can be replaced without damaging the expensive OLED screen, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the fingerprint identification module to be easily discarded or replaced when damaged, while the expensive OLED screen and support plate are recovered and reused. This approach reduces overall device cost and improves maintainability by allowing selective replacement of only the disposable fingerprint module rather than the entire assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the existing fingerprint identification module is used, then the fingerprint identification function is achieved, but the module thickness is excessive and ultra-thin device demand is not met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint identification functionVSAvoidmodule thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the fingerprint sensor chip from the traditional thick fingerprint identification module and positions it directly on the support plate. By removing unnecessary components and reducing the module's overall thickness while maintaining the core fingerprint sensing function, the design meets the demand for ultra-thin devices without sacrificing identification reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces the costs and complexity of electronic devices, enhances maintainability, and meets the demand for ultra-thin designs while providing effective fingerprint identification by minimizing contact with the fragile OLED screen and optimizing optical imaging.

Implementation Method 1

an optical fingerprint sensor, located under the display screen, configured to receive a fingerprint detecting signal returned by reflection via a human finger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3770802B1Fingerprint recognition device and electronic device
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 SHENZHEN GOODIX TECH CO LTD
  • EP3770802B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3770802B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3770802B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Provided are a fingerprint identification apparatus and an electronic device. The fingerprint identification apparatus is applicable to an electronic device having a display screen, and includes: a fingerprint sensor chip; and a substrate, where an upper surface of the substrate extends downward to form a first groove, and at least a portion of the fingerprint sensor chip is disposed in the first groove and electrically connected to the substrate. By disposing at least a portion of the fingerprint identification sensor in the first groove, not only could costs and complexity of the electronic device be reduced, but also a thickness of the fingerprint identification apparatus could be effectively reduced.